Any confusion about when this is set/why Zuko's ship isn't destroyed read the A/N at the bottom. Thanks again to my wonderful reviewers and those who added this story to their favs or alerts. Sorry this is shorter..enjoy!

Chapter 3: Bending Of The Unknown

Katara awoke with a start and looked around her frantically, only to see a sleeping figure breathing softly next to her. She slowly laid back down and let out a puff of air. She gazed over at the door, which she could barely make out in the sea of darkness that enveloped her. But what guided her gaze to it was the moon's glow that crept underneath the door.

It's a full moon tonight, I can feel the ocean calling me, pushing and pulling. And I can't even enjoy Yue's beauty tonight, I'm stuck inside a room with my ex-enemy. I wonder if the gaang are thinking about me? Are they looking for us? Or are they already here? I don't want to be stuck in this retched place for too much longer, they might put some of that Chi Block in my food next! I probably won't get to bathe either. All I want is to smell the fresh air and watch my reflection dance in the running water. Katara sat up again when she heard a familiar sound.

Faint talking was heard on the ship, conversations were in harsh whispers, but only few words were exchanged. The ship lurched forward and abruptly came to a complete stand still as smoke ceased to surge from its chimney's.

Zuko woke up from his soundless sleep, although it had been quite restless, for he had to come to terms with what was happening. Zuko jumped off of the mattress and landed with his two feet firmly on the ground and in one smooth transition was in his offensive stance. Although, it soon came to him that he was unable to bend and that there was no danger afoot, he then reluctantly let his arms go limp and sighed.

Katara landed on the ground delicately near him and took a tentative step toward him. She then suddenly slapped her forehead with her palm. "I can't believe I forgot."

Zuko turned around and looked at her skeptically and she began to explain."I can take that weird liquid out of your body that's blocking off your chi!"

For a moment Zuko had hope that he was going to get his bending back, but it diminished when he realised that she couldn't. His demeanor changed from hopeful to a joyless expression. "No, you can't. It gets into your blood system and you can't bend that." He sighed. "But it doesn't matter."

"Well blood is..." Katara trailed off.

Zuko looked at her expectantly and she waved a hand dismissively. "No, it doesn't matter. We'll just have to wait."

"No, what were you going to say, blood is what?" He inquired curiously, a crease showing on his forehead.

After a few moments Katara opened her mouth to respond but shut it again. She looked worried, her brows were furrowed and her lips were pursed together. Zuko realised that he shouldn't have urged her on when he saw it, tears, forming in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, don't worry about it Katara," he said quickly.

Please don't cry. I don't know how to deal with a girl crying. Mai never cried. Why are girls so…emotional?

Katara looked down and shook her head. Zuko watched as the unshed tears in her bright, blue eyes began to fall. He saw a lone tear slide down her cheek and Zuko sighed patiently. "Katara, please whatever it is you don't have to worry about it. Let's just forget it."

Congratulations Katara, you're a bloodbender! She started to repeat the mantra over in her head but shook it out, she needed to ignore it. She stopped sobbing but tears still fell from her eyes and streamed down her tear streaked cheeks. Zuko decided to comfort her and he nervously wrapped his arm around her just above her waist and she leaned her head against his shoulder as he wiped a tear away from her cheek. But she didn't pay much attention to Zuko, although she did feel her cheeks get hot and they turned a crimson colour.

She sniffed and asked, "How long does the Chi Block last for?"

"Well it depends how strong it is. But seeing as thout Zhao has got his hands on it, it could be days."

"Do you really want your bending back?"

Zuko withdrew his arm from her body and said disappointingly, "Well honestly I would really like it back, it's a part of me, it feels as if my inner fire has been snuffed out. And without my Dao swords I feel so defenseless and vulnerable, I wouldn't forgive myself if any harm came to you because I couldn't bend. But, there is nothing you can do, so we might have to just wait a few more days until we get out of here."

Building up the courage Katara said, "Well...maybe not. There is a way."

"Katara, I've already told you, the-" he tried to explain but she cut him off.

"Listen, Zuko, if it's what you want I can bend the Chi Block out of your blood system." There was a short pause and then she finished quietly, "I can bloodbend."

"W-what? How?" He looked at her shocked.

Her eyes looked downcast and she replied melancholy, "I'd rather not talk about it."

Zuko noticed the tone of her voice and mentally kicked himself. Why can't I ever say the right thing around girls? "Well Katara it's completely up to you."

She faltered a smile and nodded curtly. Katara indicated for Zuko to lie on the bed and he did so, laying on his back, his chest rising and falling with calm breaths. Katara knelt on the ground feeling the coldness of the metal floor on her knees and tried to get comfortable.

Zuko laid still as she closed her eyes and concentrated. She placed her hands on his stomach and could feel his blood pumping through his veins, and there she could feel the Chi Block running alongside it. Katara took in a deep breath and moved her arms in a circular motion and then moved them upwards. Through his mouth came the Chi Block in one long stream. She did this for a few more seconds when she let the Chi Block fall to the floor. Katara then regained her place with her hands over his stomach and felt his chi flowing through his body smoothly. She smiled to herself at her achievement and felt his inner fire burning bright once more and he could feel it too.

"Do you think you could light that candle Zuko, it's dark in here."

He smirked and got up off the bed and in a mere couple of strides he was at the wax candle. But just before he lit it, the ship jerked to the side and he stumbled. Shouts were heard from the deck and people were scurrying around frantically above them. The sound of their heavy boots clunking was magnified when the sound travelled below deck. Katara and Zuko shot a questioning glance at each other unable to figure out what was going on only metres away from them. Could this be our chance to escape?

Ok well, incase it confused anyone, this isn't set exactly in the Avatar storyline, it was just like a side story that came to mind!! BUT, you could have it that it is set when the gaang went to Ember Island just before Sozin's Comet but you have to pretend Zuko's boat didn't get destroyed nor is it so close to Sozin's Comet. Any questions about it just pm me or put it in a review.